NATO allies unite for major CV90 infantry vehicle order
Countries on NATO's northern and eastern flanks are standardising equipment and planning joint, major purchases. The choice of several countries, including Poland's neighbours, has fallen on a new generation of the battle-proven CV90 infantry fighting vehicle.
The first information about joint procurement plans emerged in autumn 2024. Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden were then considering joint purchases of new infantry fighting vehicles. A few months later, those initial plans are taking concrete shape.
Although Denmark is ordering its IFVs separately, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Lithuania are now declaring joint purchases and intend to place a large order for several hundred CV90 infantry fighting vehicles.
Developed in Sweden, the CV90 is thus becoming the informal standard on NATO’s northern and eastern edges. In addition to the listed countries, Estonia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia are also ordering it, and outside NATO – Ukraine as well. Denmark and the Netherlands also declare modernisation of currently used vehicles and additional orders of CV90s. Switzerland is also a user of these vehicles.
CV90 provides strong crew protection
The CV90 is a vehicle designed in the 1980s, but since its debut, it has undergone numerous variants, upgrades, and developmental variants (from CV90 Mk 0 to the latest Mk V). The CV90 features excellent mobility in difficult terrain conditions, including snow and mud, as well as a high level of crew protection.
In its basic version, the vehicle is also distinguished by the use of a very powerful – for this class of equipment – 40 mm calibre cannon. This weapon, despite its outdated ammunition feed system, allows for the engagement of even more heavily armoured targets, such as older tanks.
The CV90 proved its effectiveness during the fighting in Ukraine, which received the first 50 units in the CV9040C variant from Sweden in 2023.
Although many vehicles were damaged or destroyed in various ways in subsequent months, by August 2024, no Ukrainian soldiers had died in a CV90. The results of these experiences are the Ukrainian-Swedish agreement aimed at initiating CV90 production in Ukraine.
